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Advanced Emergency Medical Technician - Not Fireline Qualified

Position Description

Introduction

The AEMT emergency medical services (EMS) at the medical unit and/or other incident location as requested by the Incident Commander or representative

NOTE:  Some states may use the terminology for this position:  “EMT-Intermediate”.

General Description

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) typically performs a combination of basic and limited advanced lifesaving procedures focused on the initial management of injured and sick persons.  This position has the knowledge associated with, and is expected to be competent in all the skills of the EMT.  AEMTs are not independent practitioners and therefore must be supervised by a physician medical director.  Although many of the procedures that an AEMT is allowed to perform do not require real-time oversight by the supervising medical director, more complex decision making (such as that concerning patient disposition) must be made with consultation from the medical director.

While all AEMTs receive essentially the same training, the specific procedures that each individual AEMT is authorized to perform vary depending on the AEMT’s scope of practice.  An AEMT’s scope of practice contains only those procedures for which he or she is educated, certified (by passing an exam), credentialed (medical director grants “permission” to practice), and licensed by a state to perform.  Therefore, the scope of practice of an AEMT will vary by individual.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

The following is a list of the typical skills that an AEMT can perform:

  • Airway Breathing
    • Using upper airway adjuncts, bag-valve-mask, manually triggered ventilators and automatic transportation ventilators for airway management.
    • Tracheobronchial suctioning of an already intubated patient.
  • Pharmacological Interventions
    • Providing lifesaving medications with an auto-injector.
    • Helping a patient take his or her own prescribed medications.
    • Giving specific over-the-counter medications (with appropriate medical oversight).
    • Administer sublingual nitroglycerine to a patient experiencing chest pain of suspected ischemic origin.
    • Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular epinephrine to a patient in anaphylaxis.
    • Administer glucagon to a hypoglycemic patient.
    • Administer intravenous D50 to a hypoglycemic patient.
    • Administer inhaled beta agonists to a patient experiencing difficulty breathing and wheezing.
    • Administer a narcotic antagonist to a patient suspected of narcotic overdose.
    • Administer nitrous oxide for pain relief.
    • Establishing intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) access to deliver fluids or medications.
  • Using an automated external defibrillator.
  • Trauma Care
    • Stabilizing suspected spinal injuries and extremity fractures.
    • Controlling bleeding.
    • Evacuation of a sick or injured patient using purpose made and improvised litters.
    • Appropriate triage of sick or injured patients in order to assist with the formulation of an evacuation plan.
    • Application and inflation of the pneumatic anti-shock garment (PASG) for fracture stabilization.

Position Requirements

  • Current AEMT license (must be issued by the AEMTs home-state EMS licensing authority)
  • Introduction to ICS (I-100)
  • NIMS:   An Introduction (IS-700)
  • No physical fitness level has been established for this position

Other Training which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2